Mainstage 2 and Loopback. The Trilogy.
Mainstage is a live performance host for logic and other Audio Unit plugins. Mainstage 2 brings a few new features, a looper and a backing track unit. All the pieces are there for a wonderful live tool, and I'll show you ONE WAY to assemble them.
Looping with mainstage is simple to get started with - and you can build more complicated setups as you progress. I'll show you how to set up a looper unit and then add playback for triggering a backing track. You can then duplicate the looper so you can record multiple loops - which will stay in time with your backing track.
You should create your backing track with Logic using markers for the sections. You can easily navigate your backing track in Mainstage 2 - making practicing a section a breeze, or letting you freestyle over a section until you are ready to move on.
If you are into looping, all of these things should make you pretty happy.
Multiple Loopback Stop/Start
Hey Sam
I am doing alot of live looping using Mainstage 2 and my FCB1010.. The set up i have at the moment is i have 3 loopbacks set up, all assigned to different banks on the FCB. Sometimes during a song i like to have 2 vocal tracks on top of each other, or record one for the verse and stop it for the chorus. I want to be able to replay that vocal phrase in the verse again when i come round to it..
At the moment when i stop a loop and then start it again later, it is out of time, even if i try my hardest to get it onto the beat.
Is there a way to restart loops without delay?
Cheers
Sync
Ben Have you tried adjusting the sync settings? I remember this working the last time I used it - I've been working with ableton the past few months.
mainstage vs ableton
good videos. i see you have ableton live. have you used ableton's live looping stuff? how would you compare it to mainstage 2 when it comes to live looping? thanks.
Ableton looping
I've found ableton to be much easier to use but a little less flexible in the looping area. MainStage has Ableton beat in the instrument area and being able to set up splits and change patches easily though. I think I'm going with Ableton for now as my live looping tool - I'm having a blast with it.
good tip
and good tip on using the beat counter to get the first beat.
thanks for the helpful vids... and...
sorry... I really didn't mean to post this twice, but realized I'd left my comment on the wrong page... I'll be more careful the next time.
is it possible to show the setup programming you did for your fcb1010 that allows you to send the right signals to Mainstage/the looper you built?
From your videos, I understand the building of the looper, etc. I just need to know how to get my fcb1010 to send midi data to Mainstage, without changing patches each time I click a pedal.
I'm sure others would benefit from your knowledgeable help with the FCB1010.
Sweet!
Checking out those vids are the first thing I'm gonna do when I get home from work.
Thanks!
What's you guys need to get is..
Digital performer, because it has a typical daw interface/features but a way better looper in 'Polar' TRUST ME.
Always wanted to try
Never really used DP before - I have a friend who likes it alot. I'll have to check it out.
Nice tuts
Nicely done - thanks